Leo Thomas Eckel

Leo Thomas "Beaver" Eckel of Rocky Grove entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at 8:10 a.m. in The Caring Place following a lengthy illness.Leo was born December 22, 1923, at the Eckel homestead on Cherrytree Road, Sugarcreek Township, a son of John and Linda Kistler Eckel. Leo was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and Franklin High School, Class of 1942. During his senior year of high school, he was dismissed early to work the 3-11 shift at Joy Manufacturing.Leo met his future wife Dorris "Dottie" McCool Eckel while they were in high school, and the couple married June 1, 1943 in Kansas City, Mo. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before her death on March 19, 2009. Leo enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and proudly served his nation in the Aleutian Islands, on the island of Attu, as a crew chief for P-40 and B-24 aircraft. After the war, he returned to Franklin and continued his employment in the electrical assembly department at Joy, retiring in 1989 after 47 years of service. It was during this time that he received the nickname, "Beaver."Leo enjoyed the company of a wide circle of friends. He could often be seen out and about in his car and was proud of his independence that he maintained until the age of 90. He frequented Eat 'n Park and considered the servers there to be family, as well as those he would meet daily on his stops at the VA clinic. It was while taking doughnuts to the veterans that he made a special friend, Sandi Jazwinski Young. Leo also enjoyed getting together with members of the Franklin High School Class of '42 at their reunions.From an early age Leo exhibited an artistic flair, and after retirement he enjoyed handcrafting jewelry and rosaries for family and friends. He was also an avid hunter and an excellent shot, almost always bagging his game. He continued to go out on the first day of deer season with his sons until a couple of years ago.Leo was a lifelong member of Saint Patrick Church, and also belonged to the Eagles Club, and the VFW Post 1835.Left behind to treasure his memory are his sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Doris Eckel of Jackson Township, and John and Mary Eckel of Rocky Grove; his loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Dana Crano and her husband, Salvadore, of Pittsburgh and their children Sarah Elizabeth, Emily Anne and Seth Leo; Melissa Kojancie and husband Steve of Erie and their daughters Ava Mae and Emma Jean; Tim and Lauren Eckel of North Huntingdon and their children Autumn Joan and Leo Anthony; Emily Grazulis and husband Joe of Washington, Pa., and their son William John; and Andrew Eckel of Rocky Grove.Leo dearly loved his family and especially his great-grandchildren whom he found to be the sweet rewards of a life well-lived.In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters: Henry Eckel, Julia Manne, Sophia Whitman, Violet McKay, Agnes Eckel, Catherine McClintock, Martin Eckel, Harry Eckel, and Delores Baker. Leo was the last surviving member of his immediate family.The family would like to thank the staff of The Caring Place for their loving and compassionate care of Leo while he resided there.Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home, located at 1315 Chestnut Street in Franklin, on Thursday, August 27 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. A parish wake service will be held on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home.Funeral services and Mass will be held on Friday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Franklin with Monsignor John Herbein officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the St. Patrick Church Building Fund (949 Liberty Street, Franklin, Pa 16323), St. Patrick School (Office of Advancement, 952 Buffalo Street, Franklin, Pa 16323), or the Venango County Humane Society (PO Box 413, Seneca, Pa 16346).To send online condolences, flowers, cards or for further information, friends and family are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.